From the historic construction, at national and local level, this article discusses the problem of urban land conflict in Salvador, from the perspective of the class struggle that appears between social movements and urban property capital, emphasizing the mediating role of the state. To illustrate the arguments used, the display case of occupation of MSTB (Movimento dos Sem Teto da Bahia) Quilombo de Escada, placed here as a parameter of the performance of social movements to fight for housing in Salvador. Analyzing information will be earned through a qualitative and quantitative study in the community in which they were raised and census data about the trajectory of the lives of militants MSTB. Finally, will be listed the lessons derived from the cross analysis dialogic of the theoretical instrumental and the empirical research.